The Notre Dame football schedule for 2022 includes some major tests away from home but the Irish should start the Marcus Freeman era off strong.
Notre Dame was on the verge of the College Football Playoff before the 2021 regular season ended. They missed out and then were flung into a surprise whirlwind when Brian Kelly left South Bend to take over as LSU’s head coach.
The hiring of defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman as head coach was met with cheers, but his debut in the Fiesta Bowl featured an embarrassing collapse. The Irish were up 28-7 with a minute to play in the first half. Oklahoma State scored before the half and clawed back with 30 unanswered points.
Freeman can now focus on what comes next with a 2022 season full of new challenges ahead.
Notre Dame football schedule: Game-by-game predictions for 2022
- Sept. 3 at Ohio State — LOSS (0-1)
- Sept. 10 vs. Marshall — WIN (1-1)
- Sept. 17 vs. California — WIN (2-1)
- Sept. 24 at North Carolina — WIN (3-1)
- Oct. 1 BYE WEEK
- Oct. 8 vs. BYU* — WIN (4-1)
- Oct. 15 vs. Stanford — WIN (5-1)
- Oct. 22 vs. UNLV — WIN (6-1)
- Oct. 29 at Syracuse — WIN (7-1)
- Nov. 5 vs. Clemson — WIN (8-1)
- Nov. 12 vs. Navy** — WIN (9-1)
- Nov. 19 vs. Boston College — WIN (10-1)
- Nov. 26 at USC — WIN (11-1)
*Neutral site: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV
**Neutral site: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD
The 2022 season will open with a trip to face Ohio State at the Horseshoe. Since the Irish will be breaking in a new quarterback and replacing some key figures on defense, a loss seems likely.
From there Notre Dame should be able to put together a strong run through the end of September. If they get by BYU at Allegiant Stadium they’re set up for an undefeated October.
Clemson, Navy and Boston College won’t make it easy on Freeman and his team but the Irish should still have the edge, especially with the Tigers undergoing major staff changes for 2022.
The rivalry game with USC is a true toss-up. The Trojans will have the home field advantage and head coach Lincoln Riley will have had time to put his mark on the offense. However, until USC proves they can improve quickly under the new regime, Notre Dame should get the nod.
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.